Match Ratings:
Ben Foster - 6
Did everything that was asked of him. Looks increasingly confident and commanding with every game at the moment in Edwin Van der Sar's absence.
Patrice Evra - 7
Evra, along with Ashley Cole and Philip Lahm, is currently one of the world's best left backs, and demonstrated why he is so highly rated among United fans tonight. Dangerous going forward in his link-up play with Nani, Evra displayed an assured competence in pushing forward, and always possessed an extra yard of pace to make up for any defensive problems.
Jonny Evans - 7
Evans is incredibly mature for his age and for his position, which typically doesn't see players make the strides that Evans has until later in their twenties. Tonight, Evans was as positionally sound and technically proficient as United fans have come to expect. With Rio still struggling with a number of worrying niggles that he cannot seem to shake off, Evans provides Ferguson with excellent back-up.
Nemanja Vidic - 6
Whenever Rio Ferdinand is absent from the United back four, extra responsibility is bestowed on Vidic, as the communicator and commander of the defensive unit. Vidic struggled with this responsibility tonight, as he so often does without Rio in the side. While Vidic did the things that fans have come to expect of him without fuss tonight, his partnership with Evans needs work (mis-communication between the two almost allowed an unchallenged Marcio Nobre to get on the end of a Nihat cross late on) and too often he looked sluggish and noncommital in his challenges.
Gary Neville - 6
Appearances for the Man United club captain will be at a premium this season, and Neville enjoyed a typically organised and tidy, if not wholly unspectacular 90 minutes at right back.
Nani - 7
The system Ferguson is playing this season requires touchline-hugging wingers to put in the exact kind of shift that Nani put in tonight. Nani is often electric on the ball, and can beat defenders by shifting inside or by bolting for the byline, but he is very much a work in progress with his lack of a footballing brain. Hit a nicely-struck shot which forced the rebound that led to the winning goal.
Paul Scholes - 8
Besiktas were more organised and packed the midfield far more than Spurs on Saturday, which denied Paul Scholes the freedom he enjoyed at the weekend. Given the time and space however, he displayed glimpses of the Scholes of old, and struck a number of beautifully weighted balls out wide to both Nani and Valencia. Good header for the goal too, which was not as much of a tap in as some might suggest; the keeper was back on his feet and was beaten by an accurately struck header.
Michael Carrick - 6
Clearly lacking in confidence, Carrick continued to be a shadow of the player that was often among the first on Sir Alex's team sheet over the past few seasons. Lacking in inspiration on the ball, Carrick must improve his ball retention and rediscover his creative spark if he is to work his way out of Sir Alex's doghouse.
Anderson - 8
Possibly at Michael Carrick's expense, Anderson continued to grow in performance and has seemingly overtaken Carrick in the United midfield pecking order. Anderson displayed good energy, distributed the ball effectively and is really beginning to benefit from a prolonged run in the team. His first goal for the club at Spurs on Saturday will only help build his confidence.
Antonio Valencia - 9
Clearly United's most dangerous player tonight, Valencia terrorised the Besiktas defense with his pace, ball control and movement. The final product may have not been on the money every time, but Valencia provided United with their primary attacking outlet, which provided them with chances and set pieces all night long.
Wayne Rooney - 7
Played up front in an isolated position, Rooney did all the little things which encompassed the unspectacular nature of United's performance. Rooney is not a lone striker, and he was clearly frustrated by playing with his back to goal, but the conservative approach taken by United required someone to sit up the top and occupy the defense, and that's exactly what Rooney did.
Sub 1: Michael Owen - 6...Looked lively, had a couple of half chances that he probably should've slotted away.
Sub 2: Dimitar Berbatov - 6...As usual, his ball retention and technique was second to none and truly world class, but his performances continue to lack any kind of passion or goalscorer's insinct.
Sub 3: Park Ji-Sung - 6...Every team needs a player like Park. Sent on by Ferguson late on to play the simple ball and see the game through.
Referee Nicola Rizzoli - 9
The men in black receive unimaginable flack when they get things wrong, so they deserve a pat on the back when they get things right. Rizzoli was fantastic, and managed the occasion and the atmosphere beautifully. Infinitely better refereeing performance than I can ever remember seeing by any English official.
Besiktas fans - 10
Seriously. Incredible. Providing the crowds behave, and they can be stewarded fairly and efficiently, I am all for atmospheres like this.
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